U.S. Zionists Urged to Ponder Social Problems in Israel

June 27, 1972

HIGHLAND MILLS, N.Y. (Jun. 26)

Dr. Judah J. Shapiro, president of the Labor Zionist Alliance, warned fellow Zionists yesterday not to overlook problems relating to social conditions inside Israel and the relationship between Israel and diaspora Jewry. “There cannot be a double truth, saying what is appropriate at a particular time and withholding what is strategically regarded as (best) left unsaid,” Dr. Shapiro declared at a meeting here of the LZA’s National Executive Committee.

“The long, old-time allegiance of Zionists to the creation of the State of Israel may not be the same that is necessary to deal with an existing Jewish State,” Dr. Shapiro said. He warned against the tendency to regard danger to Israel “as threats only from outside the Jewish community.” The Zionist movement, he continued, “Must adapt it self to recognize jeopardy from within. The success of Zionism must not be permitted to cause its decay, brought about by a failure to be completely informed and to relate to the existing situation,” he said. Dr. Shapiro contended that the relationship between diaspora Jewry and Israel depends on a sympathetic sharing of all problems within Israel and within the Jewish community in America.

The Jewish Agency in Jerusalem has announced that Ohio, Michigan and Ontario will soon have a new Jewish Agency aliya office in Detroit, directed by Gershon Biram, an attorney. The aliya office in Chicago has been overwhelmed by service requests, Agency officials reported.